FADE IN. INT. AFTERNOON. EGG ROOM. The door is wide open and DR. BARLOW stands facing the crate that holds the two large eggs. Her thylacine is lounging on the floor .DERYN runs into view and skids to a halt in front of the door. She straitens herself and walks into the room.
DERYN
So, how has Alek … misplaced himself?
(turns)
Just as you see it, Mr. Sharp. He is not here. And seeing as you do not
have the loris, it would appear to also be with Alek. I need to know
where he is.
DERYN
I wouldn't know, ma'am. He was in this room when I left him.
DR. BARLOW
And how long ago was that, Mr. Sharp?
DERYN
An hour or so, I think.
DR. BARLOW
These eggs can't be left unsupervised, so I will stay here while you
search the ship. And if you could, take Tazza with you.
DR. BARLOW hands DERYN the leash to her thylacine, and sits down on the boxes next to the crate. DERYN rolls her eyes, and turns and walks out the door. She rounds a corner and runs her fingers through her hair.
DERYN (speaking to Tazza)
I should've known that she would have me walking you again. She's
too barking lazy to do it herself. (Straitening) Now, where could that
daft prince have run off to…
ALEK (Walking up from behind DERYN, clearing his throat, and making her jump and shout "Barking Spiders!" very loudly)
I'm not a prince anymore, Mr. Sharp. You of all people should
remember that.
DERYN
You bum-rag! You scared me! Where have you been?
ALEK (holding up Bovril)
Bovril decided that it would be funny to suddenly run out of the
egg room. I had to catch him before he caused any trouble.
DERYN
But how long does it take for you to trap a loris? The lady boffin
gave off the impression that you were missing for quite some
time.
ALEK (sheepishly)
Yes, well, I might've gotten a little lost when I was chasing him.
BOVRIL
Gets lost in a bag!
DERYN (snorts)
Aye, beastie. (She reaches out and scratches the top of BOVRIL's head)
You should go back to Dr. Barlow. I left her watching the eggs …
Oh and you might want to come up with a better story than getting lost.
ALEK
What am I supposed to say?
DERYN (turning to leave, shouts back)
Use your imagination!
FADE OUT.